ESP BMW 325CI COUPE 2005 E46 Owner's Manual

5

Notes

Your individual vehicle

On purchasing your BMW, you have
decided in favor of a model with individ-
ualized equipment and features. This
Owner's Manual describes all models
and equipment that BMW offers within
the same group.
We hope you will understand that
equipment and features are included
that you might not have chosen for your
vehicle. You can easily identify any dif-
ferences with the aid of the asterisk
used to identify all optional equipment
and accessories.
If your BMW features equipment which
is not described in this Owner's Man-
ual, such as a car radio or telephone,
supplementary Owner's Manuals are
enclosed. We ask you to read these
manuals as well.

Status at time of printing

BMW pursues a policy of continuous,
ongoing development conceived to
ensure that our vehicles continue to
embody the highest quality and safety
standards combined with advanced,
state-of-the-art technology. For this
reason, the features described in this
Owner's Manual could differ from those
in your vehicle. Nor can errors and
omissions be entirely ruled out. You are
therefore asked to appreciate that no
claims can be recognized on the basis
of the data, illustrations or descriptions
in this Owner's Manual.

For your own safety
Maintenance and repair

Advanced technology, e.g. the
use of modern materials and high-
performance electronics, requires spe-
cially adapted maintenance and repair
methods. Therefore, only have corre-
sponding work on your BMW carried
out by a BMW center or a workshop
that works according to BMW repair
procedures with correspondingly
trained personnel. If work is carried out
improperly there is a danger of conse-
quential damage and the related safety
risks.

<

18

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by

●

are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for dif-
ferent periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started, or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react in the follow-
ing section.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge current

●

The battery is no longer being
charged. Indicates a defective
alternator drive belt or a problem with
the alternator's charge circuit. please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, stop
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and seri-
ous engine damage. If the drive belt is
defective, increased steering effort is
also required.

<

Engine oil pressure

●

The engine oil pressure is too
low. Stop the vehicle immedi-
ately and switch off the engine. It is not
possible to continue driving. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving, as the
engine could sustain serious dam-
age from inadequate lubrication.

<

Flat Tire Monitor

●

In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: there is a flat tire.
Reduce speed and carefully come to a
stop. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers.
For additional information, refer to
page 93.
Brake warning lamp

●

If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
check the brake fluid level. It is very
important that you follow the instruc-
tions on page 145 before driving on.
Have the system checked immediately.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously

The brake warning lamp comes
on together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS

●

and DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC and DSC
control system has failed. Con-
tinue driving cautiously and
defensively. Avoid full brake
applications. Please have the
system checked by your BMW center
as soon as possible.
Additional information beginning on
page 91.
CBC, ABS and DSC and DBC
indicator and warning lamps for
Canadian models.

Red: an important reminder

Brake warning lamp
Comes on when the parking
brake is engaged – an additional
acoustic signal sounds when you start
off.
For additional information, refer to
page 71.

19
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Lock backrest/Fasten safety
belts

●

Comes on together with an
acoustic signal until the safety belts are
fastened. Flashes if the backrest is not
locked.
For additional information on locking
the seat backrests, refer to page 53.
For additional information on safety
belts, refer to page 54.
Airbags

●

Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
page 61.

Orange: consult the nearest BMW
center

Automatic transmission/sequen-
tial manual gearbox
The respective transmission has
responded to a malfunction by reverting
to operation in its emergency default
program. Have the system checked
immediately.
For additional information, refer to
pages 75, 79.

Yellow: check as soon as possible

Engine oil level
If the lamp comes on during
normal vehicle operation: the
engine oil level has fallen to the abso-
lute minimum; refill as soon as possible.
Do not drive more than approx.
30 miles/50 km before refilling.
For additional information, refer to
page 142.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been switched off: add engine
oil at the earliest opportunity, such as
the next time you stop to refuel.
For additional information, refer to
page 142.
Brake pads

●

Have the brake pads checked
immediately.
For additional information, refer to
page 126.
Flat Tire Monitor

●

The Flat Tire Monitor is malfunc-
tioning or out of order. If there is
a malfunction, have the system
checked. For additional information,
refer to page 94.

Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)

●

Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is actively regulating drive
torque and braking force.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
DSC has been switched off with the
button; DTC is operational.
If there is a malfunction, have the sys-
tem checked as soon as possible.
Additional information beginning on
page 91.
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
and brake warning lamp

●

The indicator lamps remain on:
DSC/DTC have been switched
off with the button or are faulty.
If there is a malfunction, have
the system checked as soon as possi-
ble.
Additional information beginning on
page 91.
DSC indicator and brake warn-
ing lamps for Canadian models.

Indicator and warning lamps

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

21

Buttons in steering wheel*

These buttons let you operate the fol-
lowing functions quickly and without
being distracted from traffic conditions:

>

Selected radio functions

>

The cruise control

>

Selected telephone

*

functions

>

The voice recognition system.
The controls are active only when
the corresponding systems and
accessories are switched on.

<

Press briefly:
Receive a phone call, initiate dialing,
terminate a call.
Extended pressure:
Switch voice recognition on and off.
Display/hide telephone book. Display
the entries one after another with the
forward/backward buttons.

Forward:

>

Radio
Press briefly: next station in station
memory
Extended pressure: station search

>

CD
Press briefly: jump to next track
Extended pressure: search function
in track

>

Cassette
Press briefly: jump to next track or
stop fast forward
Extended pressure: fast forward

>Phone
Scan personal phone book.
Rewind/reverse: same functions as for-
ward.
Volume.
Cruise control: select a stored setting.
Cruise control: store and accelerate +
or decelerate and store –.
Cruise control: activate/interrupt/deac-
tivate.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

24
Closing the gas capPlace the cap in position and turn it
until a clearly audible click is heard.
Close the gas cap carefully after
refueling until a click is heard.
While closing, be sure not to squeeze
the strap which is fastened to the cap.
A loose or missing cap will activate the
CHECK GAS CAP* lamp.<
Warning lamp* lights up. The
gas cap is not properly closed
or is missing. Check if the gas
cap is properly closed.Fuel tank capacity>Approx. 16.6 gal./63 liters, of which
>approx. 2.1 gal./8 liters are reserve
capacity.
Do not drive to the last drop of
fuel. This can prevent the engine
from operating properly and result in
damage.<
Fuel specificationsThe engine uses lead-free gasoline
only.Required fuelPremium Unleaded Gasoline,
Minimum Octane Rating: AKI 91.
Minimum Octane Rating corresponds to
the Anti Knock Index AKI and is deter-
mined according to the so-called
(R+M)/2 method.
Do not use leaded gasoline, as
otherwise the lambda probe and
catalytic converter will be permanently
damaged. cant differences in fuel quality: volatility,
composition, additives, etc., among
gasolines offered for sale in the United
States and Canada. Fuels containing up
to and including 10 % ethanol or other
oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by
weight, that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % meth-
anol plus an equivalent amount of co-
solvent, will not void the applicable
warranties with respect to defects in
materials or workmanship.
The use of poor-quality fuels may
result in drivability, starting and
stalling problems especially under cer-
tain environmental conditions such as
high ambient temperature and high alti-
tude.
Should you encounter drivability prob-
lems which you suspect could be
related to the fuel you are using, we
recommend that you respond by
switching to a recognized high-quality
brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may also result in unsched-
uled maintenance.<
Refueling

36
Before lowering the convertible
top, refer to page 39 or 44, always
check to ensure that the luggage com-
partment panel is folded down. Other-
wise damage could occur.<
Alarm system*The conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the lug-
gage compartment lid is opened
>To movements inside the vehicle –
interior motion sensor
>To variations in the vehicle's tilt angle
such as those occurring during
attempts to steal the wheels or tow
the vehicle – tilt alarm sensor
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized
vehicle entry and attempted theft by
simultaneously activating the following:
>The acoustic alarm sounds for
30 seconds
>The hazard warning flashers are acti-
vated for approx. five minutes
>The high beams flash on and off in
rhythm with the hazard warning flash-
ers.To arm and disarm the alarm
systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked
via the remote control or the driver's
door lock, the alarm system is also
simultaneously armed or disarmed.You can have different acknowl-
edgment signals set to confirm
arming and disarming.<
You can open the luggage compart-
ment lid when the system is armed by
pressing the remote control button,
refer to page 30. The lid is once again
secured when it is closed.
Extended pressure on the button sets
off the alarm – Panic mode, refer to
page 30.
Luggage compartment

39
Despite trap protection, always
make sure that the windows can
close without obstruction, otherwise in
some cases, e.g. with thin objects, it is
not guaranteed that the closing opera-
tion will be interrupted.
Trap protection is restricted when the
switch is pulled and held beyond the
pressure point. In this instance, if the
closing force exceeds a certain value,
the window will re-open just a few milli-
meters.
If the switch is pulled and held beyond
the pressure point again within approx.
4 seconds, trap protection is overrid-
den.<
After a power lossAfter the battery has been discon-
nected, the trap protection must be
reinitialized. Perform the following pro-
cedure twice:
>Open and close the window com-
pletely
>With the window closed, keep pulling
the switch for approx. 1 second.
Manual convertible topThe fabric top offers the perfect protec-
tion against weather and one person
can open and close it easily and simply.
To gain maximum satisfaction from your
convertible, please observe the follow-
ing: we strongly recommend that you
close the convertible top before leaving
the vehicle parked. When closed, the
top not only guards the passenger
compartment from unforeseeable dam-
age from the weather, but also affords a
degree of protection against theft.
However, even when the top is closed
valuables should always be stored in
the locked luggage compartment.
Never attempt to mount any kind of roof
rack or luggage carrier on the convert-
ible top.
Closing the electric power win-
dows: to help ensure that the win-
dows seal securely, you should either
close the rear windows first or close all
four windows at the same time.<
Electric power windows
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

41
4. Position the rear convertible top
frame vertically and grip it firmly
You can make it easier to raise the
rear convertible top frame by
pressing the area indicated by the
arrow.<
5. Reach into the recess created when
the convertible top compartment lid
is lifted and pull it all the way by
hand – see arrow 1
6. Lay the rear convertible top frame in
the convertible top compartment –
see arrow 2
Let go of the rear convertible top
frame before laying the convert-
ible top down; otherwise the side trim
panel could be damaged.<
7. Raise the front of the top and pull it
back for storage
Now finish pushing the convertible
top all the way down into the con-
vertible top compartment. This makes it
easier to close the convertible top com-
partment lid, especially at lower tem-
peratures.<
Manual convertible top
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

46
panel has been raised and the top
cannot be moved.
The side windows move down slightly
whenever the button for operating the
convertible top is pressed.
They will go back up if you keep holding
the button down for more than
2 seconds after the opening or closing
process has been completed and the
indicator lamp has gone out.InterruptionThe convertible top stops moving
immediately when the button is
released. You can resume operation in
the desired direction by pressing the
button again.
Do not close the side windows
using the power window switches
if the convertible top has not been
closed completely. Otherwise, the side
windows may not seal properly with the
rubber seals of the convertible top.<
If the opening or closing operation is
interrupted by releasing the buttons,
the convertible top remains in the
respective position for 15 minutes
before it slowly moves into a stable
position. The operation can be contin-
ued by pressing the buttons.
Do not repeatedly interrupt and
resume the closing procedure, as
otherwise the fully-automatic convert-
ible top mechanism could be dam-
aged.<
In certain cases, the luggage compart-
ment lid cannot be opened if the open-
ing or closing operation has been inter-
rupted.
Operate the convertible top manu-
ally in emergency situations only
to avoid causing damage due to incor-
rect operation. remote control and driver's door
lockRefer to pages 30 and 31.
Manual closing in the event of an
electrical malfunction1Emergency operation
2Allen wrench
3Recess
Only operate the convertible top
manually when closing it. Never
open it manually since the convertible
top compartment lid cannot be locked,
and would open while you are driving.<
Manual closing is best carried out
by two persons from outside with
the driver's door open and the driver's
seat folded forward. No one is to be in
the rear seat while you are doing this.<
Fully-automatic convertible top*

51
SeatsWhen adjusting your seat, always
observe the following precautions
Never try to adjust your seat while
operating the vehicle. The seat
could respond with unexpected move-
ment, and the ensuing loss of vehicle
control could lead to an accident. Never
ride with the backrest reclined to an
extreme angle. This is especially impor-
tant for the front passenger to remem-
ber. If you do, there is a risk that you
will slide under the safety belt in an
accident, thus reducing the protection
provided by the safety belt.
With the wind deflector in place:
Do not push the front seats all the way
back, otherwise the wind deflector will
be damaged.<
Seat adjustment>Power seat adjustment, refer to
page 51
>Head restraint, refer to page 52
>Entering the rear, refer to page 53.
Adjusting electric power seatsSeat adjustment1Tilt angle
2Backward/forward adjustment
3Height
4Backrest angle
Please refer to the adjustment
instructions on page 51 to reduce
the risk of personal injury.<
With the BMW sports seat* you can
also adjust the thigh support. To do so,
pull the lever and adjust the position of
the cushion for thigh support as
desired.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex